American Government

Front 1

authoritarian government

Back 1

a system of rule in which those in power hold absolute authority over the people, although other institutions may operate independently of the government

Front 2

citizenship

Back 2

informed and active membership in a political community

Front 3

constitutional government

Back 3

a system of rule in which governmental power is both described in, and limited by, a governing constitution

Front 4

democracy

Back 4

a system of rule where popular wishes and preferences regularly and systematically shape who controls the government and what the government does

Front 5

direct democracy

Back 5

a system of rules that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies

Front 6

equality of opportunity

Back 6

a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential

Front 7

government

Back 7

institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled

Front 8

laissez-faire capitalism

Back 8

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference

Front 9

liberty

Back 9

freedom from government control

Front 10

limited government

Back 10

a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

Front 11

politics

Back 11

conflict over leadership, structure, and policies of governments

Front 12

popular sovereignty

Back 12

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

Front 13

power

Back 13

influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies

Front 14

totalitarian government

Back 14

a system of rule in which the government not only exercises great power, but seeks to impose its will by suppressing any and all other groups and individuals in society that might pose a challenge to its power

Front 15

George Washington

Back 15

the man revered as the father of the country and the person chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention of 1787

Front 16

Thomas Hobbes

Back 16

Believed that governments should have limits, and that political systems are based on the idea of "Contract Theory," meaning that political systems are based on the idea that the people of a country voluntarily gave up some freedom in exchange for an ordered society. The monarchs who ruled that society therefore derived their legitimacy from this contract, not from a God-given right to rule.

Front 17

John Locke

Back 17

advanced principles of republican government

Front 18

Baron de la Brede et de Montesquieu

Back 18

separation of government were needed to balance power

Front 19

colonial elite

Back 19

southern planters, the New England merchants, and the royal office and patent holders whose commercial interests and activities were most extensive

Front 20

amendment

Back 20

a change added to a bill, law, or constitution

Front 21

politics

Back 21

conflict over leadership, structure, and policies of governments

Front 22

popular sovereignty

Back 22

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people

Front 23

power

Back 23

influence over a government's leadership, organization, or policies

Front 24

totalitarian government

Back 24

a system of rule in which the government not only exercises great power, but seeks to impose its will by suppressing any and all other groups and individuals in society that might pose a challenge to its power

Front 25

George Washington

Back 25

the man revered as the father of the country and the person chosen to preside over the Constitutional Convention of 1787

Front 26

Thomas Hobbes

Back 26

Believed that governments should have limits, and that political systems are based on the idea of "Contract Theory," meaning that political systems are based on the idea that the people of a country voluntarily gave up some freedom in exchange for an ordered society. The monarchs who ruled that society therefore derived their legitimacy from this contract, not from a God-given right to rule.

Front 27

John Locke

Back 27

advanced principles of republican government

Front 28

Baron de la Brede et de Montesquieu

Back 28

separation of government were needed to balance power

Front 29

colonial elite

Back 29

southern planters, the New England merchants, and the royal office and patent holders whose commercial interests and activities were most extensive

Front 30

amendment

Back 30

a change added to a bill, law, or constitution